The pretenders have been pushed aside and only real contenders remain in the hunt for the coveted Vega’s Cup. The playoffs for the Gaspar Vega’s Cup Tournament will start on Sunday, November 13th.The last regular season games were played on Sunday, November 6th in San Jose Village. The playoff contending teams had already secured a slot in the postseason; therefore, the final four games were for seeding purposes only. Four games were held on Sunday. San Antonio F. C. squared up against San Pablo Dream team, Old School F.C. battled San Jose Pumas, San Jose AtleticoJuve went up against OtroBenque F.C. and Douglas New Revolution faced San Jose New Survivors.

The first game saw San Antonio F.C. defeating San Pablo Dream Team easily. The first goal was scored in the 25th minute by Wilber Teul of San Antonio F.C. San Antonio added to its lead 4 minutes into the second half with a 49th minute goal by Roger Alamilla. San Pablo Dream Team managed to cut the deficit in half at the 80th minute but 5 minutes later Orbin Cocom added another goal for San Antonio to put the game out of reach. San Antonio won by scoring 3 goals to San Pablo’s 1.

The second game featured the two best teams in the league. Old School F.C. is a dynasty that raises the fear level of each opponent it stares in the face. They walked on San Jose’s field on Sunday and everybody knew that the three-peat champs were in town. Well, everybody except for the San Jose Pumas. The San Jose teams are extremely tough to beat at home. Their home crowd is enthusiastic and engaged. It was the second game on the card but an early main event in reality. Old School F.C. struck first with a masterful header from Oliver Hendricks. It was Hendrick’s 13thgoal of the season which confirms his ownership of the most goals title. At the end of the first half the defending champs led 1 goal to 0. In the second half Old School’s defense broke the cardinal rule by tackling an opponent inside the attack zone. That act resulted in a penalty shot. Osmer Uh stepped up for the Pumas. His right foot blast went right center of the goal and was unbothered by Old School’s goalkeeper. Old School had plenty other attacks throughout the game but could not capitalize. At the end of regulation the game resulted in a 1-1 draw.

The third game also featured a team from San Jose Village, the AtleticoJuve. They went up against OtroBenque F.C. It was supposed to be a walk through win for OtroBenque. However, with their fans behind, the AtleticoJuve had other plans. The first goal was scored on a penalty shot after OtroBenque’s goalkeeper tackled San Jose’s striker after he left the defense helpless. Martin Francisco took the penalty shot and buried it deep into the net. At the end of the first half the AtleticoJuve led 1 to 0. By the start of the second half AtleticoJuve’s confidence was sky high. They were the ones consistently on the attack and they seemed like the better team. Nelson Claros added an insurance goal at the 51st minute on a header off a right corner kick. The keeper mistimed his jump and the corner got over his reach and unto Claros’ forehead. OtroBenque was unable to mount any threatening attack because of Francisco’s excellent deep defensive play. He broke up any attack that OtroBenque started. After 90 minutes plus the score remained 2 goals to 0 in favour of San Jose AtleticoJuve.

The final game of the regular season was between two teams that had no chance of making the playoffs. San Jose New Survivors defended the home turf against Douglas New Revolution. It was a 90 minute thriller. The first half passed with only one goal being scored. Artemio Mendez of Douglas got a left foot shot passed Survivor’s keeper at the 9th minute of the game. The second half was an old fashioned shootout. Aldair Chan of Survivors split the last two men on Douglas’ defense and lit up the keeper to tie the game at the 60th minute. 9 minutes later Douglas responded with a quick strike counter off a turnover by the Survivors. Artemio Mendez scored his second goal on a laser from about 40 feet out. Less than a minute later, Carlos Mendez added a third goal for Douglas on another shot off turnover to extend the lead to 3-1. Survivors began to climb back when Aldair Cain added his second goal at the 75th minute. His speed caused panic in Douglas’ defense throughout the game. Survivors managed to tie the game at the 85th minute when Jose Mai scored to make it 3-3. That was the score at the end of 90 minutes plus.

Four teams from Group A and four from Group B remain in the hunt for the cup and this weekend the People’s Stadium will host the first round of the playoffs. The four teams that made it from Group A are Old School F.C., Santa Cruz F.C., San Jose Pumas and OtroBenque F.C. the four teams from Group B are San Antonio F.C., San Pablo F.C., Trial Farm Untouchables and San Pablo Dream Team. First game starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday.